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<blockquote data-quote="Dawg Pics" data-source="post: 827458" data-attributes="member: 26505"><p>Adventures in astronomy. <img class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" alt="🙂" title="Slightly smiling face :slight_smile:" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/6.6/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" data-shortname=":slight_smile:" /> This scope does not have a Go-To option, and for me, being 5' 3" and out of shape, it will be a bit awkward to haul it into the yard, but I can deal with that. (Going back to the gym <img class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" alt="😬" title="Grimacing face :grimacing:" src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/6.6/png/unicode/64/1f62c.png" data-shortname=":grimacing:" />) My old scope's optical tube assembly (OTA) is almost 45" long and 29" around. The scope can be moved in pieces. I'll probably add a handle of some kind to the OTA. The rocker-box just sits on the ground, and you set the scope inside of it. It turns like a lazy-Suzan. If you are tall, you can put it up on a small platform or large step-stool to get the focuser higher up.</p><p></p><p>I use basic star maps and star-hopping to locate objects, which takes a lot of learning with regards to the sky. Start with easy targets. It takes a bit of practice aiming the scope because everything is backwards. I had to think of it as pushing or pulling the object, not the scope. When I first got my scope, I didn't have any kind of phone app, so I used the internet and a book, which I still use. You use the finder scope on top of the OTA to help locate objects, binoculars also help. Unfortunately, the finders on these scope are behind the focuser, and you have to be a contortionist to use them. They can be moved or you can add a right-angle finder. Many people upgrade their scopes. I'll have to see how my back handles it.</p><p></p><p>An 8 inch mirror is considered to be medium with regards to scope size, but it has a good bit of light gathering capacity. In my backyard, I could see Saturn's rings, and globular clusters (some star resolution depending on the glob). M80 was a dim, fuzzy spot, but I was delighted to located in my somewhat light polluted yard. With a good bit of awkward hunting, I was able to locate and view the Ring Nebula. After I located it, I had no trouble putting my scope right on it. It was difficult because it was straight up over my head. Your brain has to learn how to see dim objects. It has been a long time since I tried to find it again.</p><p></p><p>You can make setting circles to help you position the scope to correct azimuth and altitude to locate objects. There is a phone app that can do that, but I found it awkward to use.</p><p></p><p>Congrats on your new scope. Cloudy Nights forum is a great source for amateur astronomers. There are lots of beginners on there as well as very experienced hobbyists.</p><p></p><p>As far as attaching a camera, I know you can get attachments for phones, and you have to get an adapter to attach a dslr in order to get focus in the viewfinder. Then you probably need a counterweight to keep the scope on target. I never got around to doing that, but I'd like to one day.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dawg Pics, post: 827458, member: 26505"] Adventures in astronomy. 🙂 This scope does not have a Go-To option, and for me, being 5' 3" and out of shape, it will be a bit awkward to haul it into the yard, but I can deal with that. (Going back to the gym 😬) My old scope's optical tube assembly (OTA) is almost 45" long and 29" around. The scope can be moved in pieces. I'll probably add a handle of some kind to the OTA. The rocker-box just sits on the ground, and you set the scope inside of it. It turns like a lazy-Suzan. If you are tall, you can put it up on a small platform or large step-stool to get the focuser higher up. I use basic star maps and star-hopping to locate objects, which takes a lot of learning with regards to the sky. Start with easy targets. It takes a bit of practice aiming the scope because everything is backwards. I had to think of it as pushing or pulling the object, not the scope. When I first got my scope, I didn't have any kind of phone app, so I used the internet and a book, which I still use. You use the finder scope on top of the OTA to help locate objects, binoculars also help. Unfortunately, the finders on these scope are behind the focuser, and you have to be a contortionist to use them. They can be moved or you can add a right-angle finder. Many people upgrade their scopes. I'll have to see how my back handles it. An 8 inch mirror is considered to be medium with regards to scope size, but it has a good bit of light gathering capacity. In my backyard, I could see Saturn's rings, and globular clusters (some star resolution depending on the glob). M80 was a dim, fuzzy spot, but I was delighted to located in my somewhat light polluted yard. With a good bit of awkward hunting, I was able to locate and view the Ring Nebula. After I located it, I had no trouble putting my scope right on it. It was difficult because it was straight up over my head. Your brain has to learn how to see dim objects. It has been a long time since I tried to find it again. You can make setting circles to help you position the scope to correct azimuth and altitude to locate objects. There is a phone app that can do that, but I found it awkward to use. Congrats on your new scope. Cloudy Nights forum is a great source for amateur astronomers. There are lots of beginners on there as well as very experienced hobbyists. As far as attaching a camera, I know you can get attachments for phones, and you have to get an adapter to attach a dslr in order to get focus in the viewfinder. Then you probably need a counterweight to keep the scope on target. I never got around to doing that, but I'd like to one day. [/QUOTE]
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